A trip to Penn State landed two 17-year-old Massachusetts boys in the Central Counties Youth Center this weekend after police say they tresspassed into two campus buildings and took a university-owned ATV for a ride, stealing bicycles along the way.
The boys, who names were not released because they are juveniles, were arrested and collectively charged with burglary, criminal conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, criminal trespass, unauthorized use of an automobile, criminal mischief and drug and alcohol related charges, Penn State Police Sgt. Don Hazel said.
Police believe the 17-year-olds were in town for the Big Ten wrestling championships and "somehow got into" the Lasch Football Building Friday night, Hazel said.
Once inside, the visitors stole a Nike warm-up jacket, a Penn State T-shirt, a Penn State baseball cap and an autographed football, Hazel said.
The boys returned to campus Saturday and gained entrance to Beaver Stadium, finding an Office of the Physical Plant ATV and key, Hazel said.
After parking the ATV outside of the stadium, they watched a wrestling match at the Bryce Jordan Center, stole nearby bicycles and rode the bikes back to the Hampton Inn, 1101 E. College Ave., Hazel said.
Then they came back for the ATV, stealing more bicycles on the way and loading them into the stolen vehicle, Hazel said.
But upon returning to the Hampton Inn parking lot Saturday evening, the boys were spotted by an off-duty Penn State Police officer, who noticed the vehicle belonged to the university and notified Penn State Police, Hazel said.
When police knocked on the visitor's hotel room door, one of the juveniles answered the door and returned the ATV key, Hazel said. Police saw drug and alcohol in plain sight and later obtained a search warrant, Hazel said.
Alcohol and a small amount of marijuana were confiscated along with the stolen property, Hazel said.